Media Study - Medija centar Beograd

SWOT recommendation 3
Strength This represents a solution approaching European standards, solving the
unacceptable state ownership of the institution and respective possibilities of
political influence
Weakness There still remains a connection to the state which might hide under certain
conditions a way of possible abuse
Opportunity Transformation process opens a space for re-definition of the obligations and
responsibilities of this institution, with respect to the changes of information
society, technologies and overall communications landscape
Threat Ongoing discussion while competing on the market with private press agencies
on fairness of product pricing
3.6.4 RECOMMENDATION ON GRANTING SCHEMES
Background
Funding of media is a rather complex and sometimes very much tradition based exercise. License fee collection for
public service broadcasting is well described and a basic pillar within EU and CoE standards for dual public and
commercial media structures. However, an entire set of media and services do not necessarily meet market
demands and may either be abandoned or be supported directly or indirectly. Depending on the individual
countries this could be the case for parts of national press agency services, minority languages media, minority
media, local, niche or mainstream print media private media fulfilling public service functions, professional
associations, media literacy education projects, etc.
The channels to accomplish the public media funding or co-funding on national, regional or local levels are rather
heterogeneous. Following best practices in the three selected Member States an arm’s length principle should be
followed where possible, having independent professional bodies between the recipients and the ministries and
municipalities providing the funding. The principle of arm’s length reduces political influence on individual grants
and strengthens the transparent criteria and decision processes.
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